U.S. patent application number 11/228883 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for cover restricting mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to FIH CO.,LTD. Invention is credited to Rui-Hao Chen, Peng-Jin Ge, Ye Liu, Xing-Huang Luo, Shui-Yuan Qin, Hsiao-Hua Tu.
Application Number | 20060112518 11/228883 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36566056 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060112518 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ge; Peng-Jin ; et
al. |
June 1, 2006 |
Cover restricting mechanism
Abstract
A cover restricting mechanism is adapted for use in a foldable
electronic device. The cover (10) has a first barrel portion (13)
at one end thereof. The cover restricting mechanism includes a
blocking element and a cushion device (20). The blocking element is
secured to and protrudes out of the first barrel portion of the
cover. The cushion device includes a sleeve (21) and an elastic
element (22). The sleeve includes an extending portion (216)
extending axially thereof. One end of the elastic element is
secured on the sleeve. The other end of the elastic element
protrudes out of the extending portion of the sleeve and abuts the
blocking element.
Inventors: |
Ge; Peng-Jin; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; Chen; Rui-Hao; (Shenzhen, CN) ; Luo;
Xing-Huang; (Shenzhen, CN) ; Liu; Ye;
(Shenzhen, CN) ; Qin; Shui-Yuan; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; Tu; Hsiao-Hua; (Tu-cheng, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PCE INDUSTRY, INC.;ATT. CHENG-JU CHIANG JEFFREY T. KNAPP
458 E. LAMBERT ROAD
FULLERTON
CA
92835
US
|
Assignee: |
FIH CO.,LTD
Shindian City
TW
|
Family ID: |
36566056 |
Appl. No.: |
11/228883 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/342 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05D 11/06 20130101;
Y10T 16/54038 20150115; E05F 5/00 20130101; Y10T 16/5403 20150115;
E05Y 2900/606 20130101; Y10T 16/53848 20150115; H04M 1/0216
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
016/342 |
International
Class: |
E05D 11/08 20060101
E05D011/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 26, 2004 |
TW |
93219047 |
Claims
1. A cover restricting mechanism for a foldable electronic device,
the foldable electronic device including a cover, the cover having
a barrel portion at one end thereof, the cover restricting
mechanism comprising: a blocking element configured to be secured
to the barrel portion and to protrude there out of; and a cushion
means comprising: a sleeve having an extending portion extending
axially thereof; and an elastic element, one end of the elastic
element being secured on the sleeve, the other end of the elastic
element protruding out of the extending portion of the sleeve and
abutting the blocking element.
2. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the sleeve has a groove defined in an outer periphery thereof, the
groove extending to the extending portion, the elastic element
being received in the groove.
3. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein a
stage is formed between the groove and the end of the extending
portion.
4. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the blocking element abuts one end of the sleeve.
5. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the elastic element is a wave-shaped leaf spring.
6. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the leaf spring includes a bent portion, the bent portion
protruding peripherally out of the sleeve.
7. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the blocking element is a blocking portion configured for extending
axially from the barrel portion of the cover.
8. A cover restricting mechanism for a foldable electronic device,
the foldable electronic device having a cover, the cover having a
barrel portion at one end thereof, the cover restricting mechanism
comprising: a blocking element configured to be secured to the
barrel portion and to protrude there out of; and a cushion means
comprising: a sleeve having an extending portion extending axially
thereof; and an elastic element, one end of the elastic element
being secured on the sleeve, the other end of the elastic element
protruding out of the extending portion of the sleeve; wherein the
cover restricting mechanism is configured such that: when the
blocking element is in a first position, the blocking element is
located a distance away from the elastic element; when the blocking
element is in a second position, the blocking element abuts the
elastic element; and when the blocking element is a third position,
the block element abuts the extending portion of the sleeve.
9. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the sleeve has a groove defined in an outer periphery thereof, the
groove extending to the extending portion, the groove receiving the
elastic element therein.
10. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein
a stage is formed between the groove and the end of the extending
portion.
11. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the blocking element abuts one end of the sleeve.
12. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the elastic element is a wave-shaped leaf spring.
13. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the leaf spring includes a bent portion, the bent portion
protruding peripherally out of the sleeve.
14. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the blocking element is a blocking portion configured for extending
axially from the barrel portion of the cover.
15. A foldable electronic device, comprising: a housing configured
for receiving a hinge assembly therein and further configured for
being secured to a main body; a cover having a barrel portion at
one end thereof, the barrel portion being received in the housing;
a cover restricting mechanism comprising: a blocking element
secured to and protruding out of the barrel portion of the cover;
and a cushion device secured in the housing, the cushion device
comprising: a sleeve having an extending portion extending axially
thereof; and an elastic element, one end of the elastic element
secured on the sleeve, the other end of the elastic element
protruding out of the extending portion of the sleeve and abutting
the blocking element; wherein the cover restricting mechanism is
configured such that: when the cover is in a closed position, the
blocking element is located a distance away from the elastic
element; when the cover is opened at a predetermined, intermediate
angle, the blocking element abuts the elastic element; and when the
cover is in a full position, the blocking element abuts the
extending portion.
16. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein
the sleeve has a groove defined in an outer periphery thereof, the
groove extending to the extending portion, the elastic element
being received in the groove.
17. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein
a stage is formed between the groove and the end of the extending
portion.
18. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein
the first barrel portion abuts the extending portion of the sleeve,
the blocking element being a blocking portion extending axially
from the barrel portion of the cover, the blocking portion abutting
one end of the sleeve.
19. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein
the elastic element is a leaf spring.
20. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 19, wherein
the leaf spring includes a bent portion, the bent portion
protruding peripherally out of the sleeve.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to cover restricting
mechanisms and, particularly, to a cover restricting mechanism for
a foldable electronic device such as a mobile telephone, an
electronic notebook, and so on.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] With the development of the technologies of wireless
communication and information processing, portable electronic
devices such as mobile telephones and electronic notebooks are now
in widespread use. These electronic devices enable consumers to
enjoy the convenience of high technology services anytime and
anywhere. Foldable electronic devices are particularly welcome by
consumers for their convenience.
[0005] Generally, foldable electronic devices have most of the
electronics in one housing, called the main body. The other
housing, called the flip cover, normally contains fewer electronic
components than the main body. Other foldable electronic devices
have all the electronics in the main body, with the flip cover
containing no electronics. Various types of hinge assemblies are
used to join a main body and a flip cover of a foldable electronic
device, so that the flip cover can unfold and fold relative to the
body. Manufacturers are constantly seeking to reduce the volume,
size and weight of such foldable electronic devices. Also, it is
desirable for the hinge assembly coupling the main body with the
flip cover to have a long working lifetime.
[0006] A modularized hinge assembly generally has moving parts such
as a cam member having a cam surface, a cam follower having a cam
follower surface, a spring, a shaft, and a housing. The cam member,
the cam follower, and the spring are placed around the shaft, and
then received in the housing, thereby being held together in a
unified structure. The housing is secured to the main body of the
foldable electronic device, and the cam member engages with the
flip cover of the foldable electronic device. The cam member and
the cam follower always contact each other by engagement of the cam
and follower surfaces, these surfaces being forced together due to
the action of the spring. When opening the flip cover, the flip
cover is opened by hand, which makes the cam member rotate along
with the flip cover. At the same time, the cam member urges against
the cam follower, making the cam follower movable along the shaft
and compressing the spring. When the cam member rides over a convex
portion of the cam follower, the flip cover is opened to a
predetermined angle. Releasing the flip cover, the cam follower
urges against the cam member, under the force of the spring, and
makes the cam member rotate, thus making the flip cover open
fully.
[0007] In the above-described hinge assembly, when the flip cover
is opened to a predetermined angle, the flip cover rotates to a
predetermined position. This rotation occurs due to the engaging
relationship of the cam follower and the cam member, such
engagement being maintained under the force of the spring. However,
the abrupt force of the spring of the hinge assembly has a large
impact on the flip cover, which may damage the flip cover and/or
decrease the working lifetime of the flip cover. Such a negative
influence on the operation of the flip cover would expectedly
reduce the working lifetime of the foldable electronic device,
overall. In addition, many foldable electronic devices need to be
opened to other positions such as 150.degree. or 160.degree.
positions. This angle requirement means that the main body of the
foldable electronic device itself needs to be specially designed in
order to limit the maximum opening angle of the flip cover. This
designing takes up valuable "real estate" on the main body,
increases the complexity of the manufacture of the main body, and
increases the overall volume and weight of the mobile phone.
Furthermore, each time the flip cover is opened, it impacts the
main body. The main body is liable to become worn or damaged due to
such impact, thereby shortening the working lifetime of the mobile
phone.
[0008] What is needed, therefore is to provide a cover restricting
mechanism that overcomes the above-described problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A cover restricting mechanism is adapted for use in a
foldable electronic device. The cover has a first barrel portion at
one end thereof. The cover restricting mechanism includes a
blocking element and a cushion means. The blocking element is
secured to and protrudes out of the first barrel portion of the
cover. The cushion means includes a sleeve and an elastic element.
The sleeve includes an extending portion extending axially relative
to the sleeve. One end of the elastic element is secured on the
sleeve. The other end of the elastic element protrudes out of the
extending portion of the sleeve and abuts the blocking element.
[0010] A cover restricting mechanism is adapted for use in a
foldable electronic device. The cover has a first barrel portion at
one end thereof. The cover restricting mechanism includes a
blocking element and a cushion means. The blocking element is
secured to and protrudes out of the first barrel portion of the
cover. The cushion means includes a sleeve and an elastic element.
The sleeve includes an extending portion extending axially relative
to the sleeve. One end of the elastic element is secured on the
sleeve. The other end of the elastic element protrudes out of the
extending portion of the sleeve and abuts the blocking element.
When the blocking element is in a first position, the blocking
element is located a distance away from the elastic element. When
the blocking element is in a second position, the blocking element
abuts the elastic element. When the blocking element is in a third
position, the blocking element abuts the extending portion.
[0011] When the cover restricting mechanism is installed in the
foldable electronic device, opening and closing the cover is easy.
When the user manually rotates the cover to a predetermined angle
toward an open position, the restricting mechanism can reduce
impact of the cover as a result of the abrupt force generated by a
spring of a hinge assembly installed in the foldable electronic
device. Also, the restricting mechanism can reduce the
vibration/shaking of the cover. In addition, the extending portion
of the sleeve is configured such that it can effectively limit the
open angle of the cover. Furthermore, the structure of cover
restricting mechanism is simple and thus may not increase the
volume of the foldable electronic device.
[0012] Other advantages and novel features will become more
apparent from the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Many aspects of the cover restricting mechanism can be
better understood with reference to the following drawings. The
components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, the
emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the
principles of the present cover restricting mechanism. Moreover, in
the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several views.
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of the present cover
restricting mechanism, incorporated in a foldable electronic
device, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present
mechanism;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a cushion means of the cover
restricting mechanism of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a housing containing the
cushion means of FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded, isometric view of the embodiment of
the cover restricting mechanism of FIG. 1, but viewed from another
aspect;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the housing, as
per FIG. 3, incorporating the cushion means;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a cover incorporating the
cover restricting mechanism of FIG. 1, in a closed position;
[0020] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, but showing the cover opened in
a predetermined, intermediate position; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 6, but showing the cover in a full
open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a cover
restricting mechanism 9 according to a preferred embodiment of the
present mechanism. The cover restricting mechanism 9 is adapted for
use in a foldable electronic device 11.
[0023] The foldable electronic device 11 includes a main body (not
shown), a cover 10, a housing 30, and a hinge assembly (not shown),
hinging the main body and the cover 10 together. The hinge assembly
is contained in the housing 30. The hinge assembly can be any kind
of hinge assembly, the hinge assembly generally, for example,
including a shaft, a cover driven member, a body driven member, and
a spring. The cover 10 includes a first support portion 12 and a
second support portion 14, each of which is formed at one end of
the cover 10 and opposite to each other.
[0024] Referring further to FIG. 1, the cover restricting mechanism
9 is further composed of a first barrel portion 122 and a second
barrel portion 142. The first barrel portion 122 and the second
barrel portion 142 extend from the first support portion 12 and the
second support portion 14, respectively. The first barrel portion
122 has a blocking portion 16 (referring to FIG. 4) extending from
one end thereof.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, the cover restricting mechanism 9
has a cushion device or means 20 as one of its components. The
cushion means 20 includes a sleeve 21 and a leaf spring 22. The
sleeve 21 is a hollow cylinder with a first open end 212, a second
open end 214, and an axial opening (not labeled). The axial opening
is defined between two opposite opening end portions 2112, 2114
(referring to FIG. 4), which correspond to the first open end 212
and the second open end 214, respectively. An arcuate extending
portion 216 extends axially from the first open end 212. The sleeve
21 has a groove or recess 218 defined in an outer wall thereof. The
groove 218 extends to the extending portion 216, thereby forming an
arcuate stage 220 at one end of the extending portion 216.
[0026] The leaf spring 22 is a sheet-like spring, formed by
punching a sheet of metallic material. The leaf spring 22 has a
wave shape. The leaf spring 22 includes a bent portion 222 at one
end thereof. The outer shape of the leaf spring 22 corresponds to
the shape of the groove 218 and is received therein. One side of
the leaf spring 22 abuts the stage 220 of the sleeve 21, and the
bent portion 222 protrudes out of the groove 218. The cushion means
20 is, as a whole, contained in the housing 30.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the housing 30 is a hollow cylinder
and has a receiving hole 31 defined therein. Further, the housing
30 has a bottom wall 32. The receiving hole 31 is a through hole,
thereby forming a first open end (not labeled) and a second open
end (not labeled) in the housing 30. The housing 30 has a second
axial opening 33 extending from the receiving hole 31 to the bottom
wall 32. Two longitudinal protrusions 34, 35 are symmetrically
disposed on the inner wall of the housing 30 and are positioned
adjacent the second axial opening 33. A circular baffle 36
protrudes from the inner periphery of the housing 30. The
protrusions 34, 35 extend a predetermined distance in the axial
direction and resist the opening end portions 2112, 2114 of the
sleeve 21 in order to secure the sleeve 21 in the housing 30. The
circular baffle 36 resists the second open end 214 of the sleeve
21, the baffle 36 being configured for preventing the sleeve 21
from sliding in the housing 30.
[0028] Referring also to FIG. 6, in assembly, the cushion means 20
is received in the housing 30 via the first open end of the housing
30. The cushion means 20 is secured in the housing 30 by the
abutment between the protrusions 34, 35 of the housing 30 and the
respective open end portions 2112, 2114 and by the abutment between
the circular baffle 36 and the second open end 214 of the sleeve
21. The first barrel portion 122 of the cover 10 is received in the
housing 30 via the first open end of the housing 30. The first
barrel portion 122 abuts the extending portion 216 of the sleeve
21. The blocking portion 16 abuts one end of the sleeve 21. The
hinge assembly is received in the housing 30 via the second open
end of the housing 30. The second barrel portion 14 of the cover 10
engages with the cover driven member of the hinge assembly and is
received in the housing 30 via the second end of the housing 30.
The body driven member of the hinge assembly is securely connected
with the housing 30, and the housing 30 is securely connected with
the main body.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 7-8, in use, when a user wants to open
the cover 10, he/she may manually rotate the cover 10 up to an open
position. When the cover 10 is opened to a predetermined angle, the
cover 10 is opened automatically under the force of the spring of
the hinge assembly because of the release of the spring. In this
process, the blocking portion 16 of the cover 10 first contacts and
abuts the bent portion 222 of the leaf spring 22, and thus the
opening rate of the cover 10 is slowed down by the force of the
leaf spring 22. This reduction in the speed/force at which the
cover 10 is able to open mitigates the impact on the cover 10. The
cover 10 continues to open under the hinge assembly and compresses
the leaf spring 22 until the blocking portion 16 of the cover 10
makes the bent portion 222 of the leaf spring 22 abut one side of
the stage 220. At this time, the cover 10 is in a full open
position, and the leaf spring 22 is compressed in a maximum state.
At this state, the cover 10 has a tendency to continue to open
under the hinge assembly. However, the stage 220 of the sleeve 21
abuts the blocking portion 16 of the cover 10, thereby preventing
the cover 10 from opening further.
[0030] When the user wants to close the cover 10, he/she may
manually rotate the cover 10 to the closed position. Because the
cover 10 is actually urged by the force of the leaf spring 22
toward the closed position, the effective force required in closing
the cover 10 against the force of the spring of the hinge assembly
is reduced, thus facilitating the closing of the cover 10.
[0031] In an alternative embodiment, two (only one of which is
illustrated) cushion means 20 can be provided. That is, the two
cushion means are respectively contained in the two open ends of
the housing 30. The cover driven member can be constructed so long
that it can be connected with the first barrel portion 122 or with
the second barrel portion 142 of the cover 10. In addition, the
cushion means 20 can be secured by any other kind way. The blocking
portion 16 can, likewise, be a separate blocking element (not
illustrated as such) secured on to the first barrel portion 13 of
the cover 10 and extending out of the first barrel portion 122. The
leaf spring 22 can be another elastic element such as a coil spring
(not shown).
[0032] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *